Leica Q Typ 116 versus Leica X Typ 113

The Leica Q (Typ 116) and the Leica X (Typ 113) are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively,
in June 2015 and September 2014. Both the Q Typ 116 and the X Typ 113 are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on a full frame (Q Typ 116) and an APS-C (X Typ 113) sensor. The Q Typ 116 has a resolution of 24 megapixel, whereas the X Typ 113 provides 16.1 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their size, their sensors, their features, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Leica Q Typ 116 vs Leica X Typ 113

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Leica Q Typ 116 and the Leica X Typ 113 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. You can also toggle the display to switch to a percentage comparison if you prefer that the measures are being expressed in relative terms (in this case, the camera on the left – the Q Typ 116 – represents 100 percent across all the size and weight measures).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size,
the Leica X Typ 113 is notably smaller (7 percent) than the Leica Q Typ 116. Moreover, the X Typ 113 is markedly lighter (24 percent) than the Q Typ 116. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the Q Typ 116 nor the X Typ 113 are weather-sealed.

Concerning battery life, the Q Typ 116 gets 300 shots out of its BP-DC12 battery,
while the X Typ 113 can take 350 images on a single charge of its BP-DC8 power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left
comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and
choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Any camera purchase will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The X Typ 113 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 46 percent) than the Q Typ 116, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison: Leica Q Typ 116 vs Leica X Typ 113

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica Q Typ 116 features a full frame sensor and the Leica X Typ 113
an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the X Typ 113 is 57 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

In terms of underlying technology, both cameras are build around CMOS sensors.

With 24MP, the Q Typ 116 offers a higher
resolution than the X Typ 113 (16.1MP), but the Q Typ 116 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of
6.00μm versus 4.79μm for the X Typ 113) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the Q Typ 116 is a somewhat more recent model (by 8 months) than the X Typ 113, and its sensor
might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the Q Typ 116 provides a higher frame rate than the X Typ 113. It can shoot video footage at 1080/60p, while the X Typ 113 is limited to 1080/30p.

Feature comparison: Leica Q Typ 116 vs Leica X Typ 113

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the Q Typ 116 has an electronic viewfinder (3680k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight.
In contrast, the X Typ 113 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the X Typ 113 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the Visoflex (Typ 020). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Leica Q Typ 116 and Leica X Typ 113 along with similar information for a selection of comparators. The full specs-sheets can be found in the camera manual or in the dpreview camera hub.

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The Q Typ 116
has a touchscreen, while the X Typ 113 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example,
for setting the focus point.

The reported shutter speed and shutter burst refer to the use of the mechanical shutter. In addition, the Q Typ 116 features
an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (rolling shutter) or
shooting under artificial light sources (flickering).

Both the Q Typ 116 and the X Typ 113 have build-in prime lenses. The Q Typ 116 has a 28mm f/1.7 optic and the X Typ 113 offers a 35mm f/1.7 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Q Typ 116 provides a wider angle of view than the X Typ 113. Both cameras offer the same maximum aperture.

Both the Q Typ 116 and the X Typ 113 write their imaging data to SDXC cards.

Both the Q Typ 116 and the X Typ 113 are recent models that feature in their makers' current product line-up. The X Typ 113 replaced the earlier Leica X2, while the Q Typ 116 does not have a direct predecessor.

Review summary: Leica Q Typ 116 vs Leica X Typ 113

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Leica Q Typ 116 or the Leica X Typ 113 – has the upper hand? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 8 months after the X Typ 113).

Arguments in favor of the Leica X (Typ 113):

Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 154g or 24 percent) and is thus easier to take along.

Longer lasting: Gets more shots (350 versus 300) out of a single battery charge.

Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.

More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (46 percent cheaper at launch).

More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in September 2014).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the Q Typ 116 is the clear winner of the match-up (15 : 5 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera.

Q Typ 116 15:05 X Typ 113

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the Q Typ 116 or the X Typ 113 handle or perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). You can find the full text of the reviews by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool. If you cannot find the camera you are interested in, kindly get in touch, and I will try to update the database with the necessary infos.